The best rooftop bars in Philly

Audrey J. Powers

Foodstuff and beverages taste far better (and feel cooler) when eaten on a rooftop, appropriate? There is a thing about town views and clean air that just feels proper.

And when Philly may perhaps not be bursting with rooftop bars like our neighbor New York Town, we do have a strong assortment of sky-significant dining spots, ranging from an 11th-ground rooftop taqueria in Rittenhouse to an eight-tales-up bar on the best of a previous higher faculty in South Philly (with some of the very best skyline sights close to).

How we choose our very best lists
What can make a little something the finest? Our recommendations are based on our reporters’ deep regional awareness and suggestions from nearby specialists. We also try to signify the geographic and cultural variety of the town and region. Spot an mistake or omission? Email us at [email protected]

Here’s our manual to the Philly area’s best rooftop bars and informal places to eat.

Nine stories up, this lounge has prime views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. When you are completely ready to end snapping pics, cushy seating awaits, together with frosé, solid cocktails, and smaller-chunk selections.

📍1840 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., 🌐 assemblyrooftop.com, 📷 @assemblyphl

Even if you simply cannot seize an exterior desk at this rooftop restaurant and bar, the huge-open up windows indicate you can capture a breeze approximately everywhere you sit. The greenery-dense room is perched atop Wide Street’s Cambria Hotel Downtown-Center Metropolis and gives key views of the picturesque Bellevue Resort.

📍219 S. Wide St., 🌐 atticorooftop.com, 📷 @atticorooftop

Just after a 12 months-as well as of reservation-only seating (since of pandemic limits), Bok Bar is now happily open to walk-ins, with a portion of the bar continue to reservation-only. In this article, you can just take in sweeping views from New Jersey to West Philadelphia from the top of the refurbished and repurposed previous college. During its season, the bar is household to eating pop-ups, fitness nights, stay performances, and additional. For drinks, Bok has a total menu of beer, wine, ciders, and cocktails.

📍800 Mifflin St., 8th flooring, 🌐 bok-bar.com, 📷 @bok_bar

There’s a retractable roof at Rittenhouse’s taqueria and Mexican bar El Techo, which usually means rooftop eating and drinking are constantly a chance no make any difference the weather. Tequilas and mezcals are menu cornerstone margaritas, fruity cocktails, beers, and wine spherical out the drink menu. For foods, there’s tacos, a seasonal ceviche, chips and salsa, guacamole, and a choice of entertaining ice pops in flavors like flan. The sprawling place is at the leading of the Motto by Hilton resort.

📍 1830 Ludlow St., 🌐 condesaphilly.com, 📷 @eltechophilly

New York-centered Emmy Squared serves its entire menu (it is acknowledged for its pizza and burgers), which include drinks, atop the Queen Resort on a multi-level deck with exceptional, 360-diploma views of its South Philly surroundings and outside of.

📍632 S. Fifth St., 🌐 emmysquaredpizza.com, 📷 @emmysquaredpizza

The roomy Skytop Back garden at the Conshohocken place of the trusted Wonderful American Pub is first-appear, very first-served, but there is loads of home to delight in food items and beverages a number of tales previously mentioned street stage in downtown Conshohocken.

📍123 Fayette St., Conshohocken, 🌐 thegreatamericanpub.com, 📷 @greatamericanpub

Irwin’s is now property to chef Michael Ferreri of shuttered Res Ipsa, who delivers his signature dishes (eggplant gnocchi, agrodolce chicken) to the Bok Setting up. This southern-struggling with sibling to Bok Bar promises an eighth-floor deck finish with hanging lights and views of South Philly underneath Snyder. Enter at Eighth and Mifflin Streets and just take the elevator to the best floor.

📍800 Mifflin St., 8th ground, 🌐 irwinsupstairs.com, 📷 @irwinsupstairs

The significant rooftop at West Chester’s Mas Mexicali Cantina is initially-appear, first-served and is a well-liked hangout on nice days. Arrive early, and if possible with a small team, to prevent a wait for a rooftop seat. The restaurant’s menu of tacos, burritos, nachos, and margaritas is available.

📍102 E. Industry St., West Chester, 🌐 masmexicali.com, 📷 @masmexicalicantina

For the reason that it is Aged City’s largest rooftop cafe, with an overhead covering that blocks the sunlight and most rain, the roof deck listed here is well known, so reservations are a great thought. Menu involves salads, burgers, entrées, and Neapolitan pizza, plus a entire slate of cocktails, beers, and wines.

📍200 Marketplace St., 🌐 revolutionhouse.com, 📷 @revhouse200

11 tales earlier mentioned Outdated City at the top of Hotel Monaco is Stratus Rooftop Lounge, a partly protected rooftop bar that is frequently property to DJ-led dance events. Sit on a plush couch and buy one particular of their cocktails, or splurge on bottle assistance. Keep in intellect that tables have a $50 to $100 per man or woman bare minimum dependent on the evening.

📍433 Chestnut St., 🌐 stratuslounge.com, 📷 @stratuslounge

The 1.2-acre lawn masking Cira Green’s parking garage (alongside 30th Avenue among Chestnut and Walnut) is a single of the city’s more recent outdoor standouts, with sandwiches, salads, drinks, and primary skyline views. It is 12 stories earlier mentioned ground degree, so choose the elevator to the top rated of the garage to obtain the no cost, no-reservation-needed room. Notice that Sunset Social opens on April 20.

🕗 Reopens April 20,📍129 S. 30th St., 🌐 sunsetsocialphl.com, 📷 @sunsetsocialphl

Head to this traditional Center Metropolis spot to eat and drink at a tucked absent, nonetheless in-the-middle-of-it-all rooftop. Two outside areas flank the retro bar and indoor fireplace, in which merchandise like shoestring fries and lobster mac and cheese are on the menu.

📍1801 Chestnut St., 🌐 continentalmidtown.com, 📷 @continental_midtown

Previously mentioned the hookah bar Byblos is Vango Lounge and Sky Bar, a presently stroll-in-only alternative in the heart of Rittenhouse. It has been a staple for a long time, and when it’s not the most effective or coolest rooftop out there, it is however a place for above-avenue-level drinks.

📍116 S. 18th St., 🌐 vangoloungeandskybar.com, 📷 @vangoloungeandskybar

» Examine Far more: Reside your most effective daily life in Philly: Examine our most useful stories listed here.

Steven White contributed to this report.

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